Lord Rhyolith

Baleroc
Title	<The Gatekeeper>
Race	Fire elemental (Elemental)
Level	?? Boss
Location	Mortal's Demise, Firelands
Firelands Beth'tilac Lord Rhyolith Alysrazor Shannox Baleroc Majordomo Staghelm Ragnaros (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) Loot

"Baleroc stands before the gate to Sulfuron Keep, amidst a river of combustion that serves as the Sulfuron moat. The bridge to Ragnaros’s blistering chamber can only be crossed by those who find a way to put an end to this towering elemental monstrosity.

Baleroc earned a reputation as a merciless combatant during the elemental wars of ancient Azeroth. Now that he is confined to the Firelands, Baleroc's sanity has dwindled. Few elementals dare disturb him, fearful that they will become victim to his battle lust.

World first heroic kill on 25-man achieved 7.7.2011 by Method - EU-Xavius.

Abilities

In all difficulty settings, Baleroc has a hard enrage timer of 6 minutes.

•  Berserk — Increases the caster's attack and movement speeds by 150% and all damage it deals by 500%. Also grants immunity to Taunt effects. Cast after 6 minutes of combat.
•  Blaze of Glory — Baleroc's assault periodically awakens a burning spark within his current target, increasing the target's physical damage taken by 20%, but also raising their maximum health by 20%. Every time Baleroc applies Blaze of Glory, he gains an application of Incendiary Soul.
  •  Incendiary Soul — Every time Baleroc applies Blaze of Glory, he gains an application of Incendiary Soul, increasing his Fire damage dealt by 20%.

•  Shards of Torment — Baleroc summons a crystal amongst his foes, which continually channels a shadowy beam on the nearest player. In 25 player raids, Baleroc summons two crystals.
  •  Torment — The Shard of Torment inflicts 4000 Shadow damage per application to the nearest player, stacking once per second.
  •  Tormented — When Torment fades from a player, they are afflicted by the Tormented effect, which increases their Shadow damage taken by 250% and reduces the player's healing done by 50% for 40 sec. (Heroic-mode Only) Direct melee contact with any other player will apply a fresh copy of the Tormented effect to that player.
  •  Wave of Torment — If no player stands within 15 yards of a Shard of Torment, the Shard pulses this effect, inflicting 15000 Shadow damage each second to all players.
  •  Vital Spark  — If a player casts a direct heal on someone being damaged by Torment, the healer gains an application of Vital Spark for each three stacks of Torment on the target. Casting a single-target direct heal on a target affected by Blaze of Glory will trigger Vital Flame.
    •  Vital Flame  — Vital Flame increases healing done to targets affected by Blaze of Glory by 5% per stack of Vital Spark consumed, lasting for 15 sec. When Vital Flame expires, it restores the Vital Spark stacks consumed to create the effect.

• Blades of Baleroc — Baleroc periodically empowers one of his blades with Shadow or Fire energy, and wields it alone for 15 sec.
  •  Decimation Blade — Baleroc's melee strikes do no Physical damage but instead inflict Shadow damage equal to 90% of the target's maximum health, but always at least 250000 damage. This damage cannot be resisted or mitigated but can be dodged. Baleroc's time between attacks increases by 100% while this effect is active.
  •  Inferno Blade — Baleroc's melee strikes do no Physical damage but instead inflict 100000 Fire damage.

•  Countdown  —  Baleroc links two players to each other for 8 sec. If the chosen players move within 4 yards of each other, the effect dissipates harmlessly. If the effect runs its full course, then both players explode, inflicting 100000 Fire damage to all players within 100 yards.

Strategy

Tanking

Baleroc is a 2-tank fight with an Blaze tank and a Decimation tank.

The Decimation Blade mechanic motivates you to have one tank who has a little over 250K health so that he can survive Decimation Blade. The other tank will gain stacks of Blaze of Glory which will eventually cause him to have much more health.

The Decimation tank should start the pull and stack Blaze of Glory until he has just over 250K health. At this point the Blaze tank can wait for safe time (not during an impending Decimation Blade) and taunt off the Decimation tank.

If the Blaze tank were struck with Decimation Blade late in the fight he would suffer much more than 250K damage, causing unnecessary load on the healers. Conversely, if the Decimation tank were struck by Inferno Blade, he might not have enough health to survive the Incendiary-Soul-augmented damage. This tank swap might remind raiders of the Chimaeron Break/DA tank option.

When Baleroc empowers his blade, it will be random whether he chooses Decimation Blade or Inferno Blade (note: the first blade will always be Inferno Blade), but you do have a warning to give you time to taunt. Once his blades are empowered they are in that mode for 12 seconds. This means that the Decimation tank can take a total of 3 strikes that do >240K damage. This damage cannot be reduced by cooldowns, absorbs, or blocks, but fortunately it can be dodged or parried. Unfortunately this is not reliable, so healers still need to get him back >90% health during the 5 seconds between swings. If the healers are having difficulty doing this reliably the Blaze tank can taunt until the Decimation tank is restored. This is a desperate tactic because the healers then have to heal up the Blaze tank from near death, and in the late stages of the fight it is not unusual for the Blaze tank to have more than a million health.

The random nature of the blades and the chance to avoid Decimation Blade does, along with the rapidly ballooning healing output, does mean that losing the Decimation tank late in the fight is not necessarily an instant wipe. The Blaze tank can survive a single Decimation Blade, and healers can often (though with difficulty) manage to heal through the vastly increased damage if they've been stacking Vital Spark properly, and it's possible to randomly get Inferno Blade (instead of Decimation Blade) repeatedly. In addition, if a tank is resurrected, he retains his stacks of Blaze of Glory, so it is possible for him to resume his role.

Shards of Torment

Baleroc drops Shards of Torment: 1 in 10-man, 2 in 25-man. The shards will spawn on the closest non-tank to Baleroc, generally one of the melee, so it is a good idea to have the melee stack up at a particular location before each shard spawn to ensure a predictable location.

If no one is near a Shard of Torment, it inflicts Wave of Torment upon the entire raid. Do not let this happen. When players are in range of a shard the closest one gets stacked with Torment. Torment must be taken by DPS. Healers and especially Tanks never ever want to get Torment, because the Tormented debuff that follows halves their healing performed and will cause the Tank to take deadly damage from Inferno and Decimation Blade.

The stacks of Torment cause increasing shadow damage. The shard "tank" wants to let Torment stack as high as possible before running away and letting another DPS "tank" the shard. The high stacks of Torment allow healers to stack Vital Spark faster. Each shard will apply a total of 24-25 stacks of Torment, so either 2 dps taking 12 stacks apiece (topping out at 48000 shadow damage per second to the shard tank) or 3 dps taking 8 stacks apiece (topping out at 32000 shadow damage per second to the shard tank) is recommended. An alternate strategy is to have one dps with a large damage reduction cooldown (a Retribution paladin with Divine Protection glyphed is a good candidate due to the short CD) take 15-18 stacks, with another dps taking the remaining 8-10. This allows healers to gain an extremely large number of Vital Spark stacks from that shard phase.

Once a player has stopped tanking a shard, they will lose their Torment stacks after 1-2 seconds and gain Tormented instead. Tormented significantly increases shadow damage taken, meaning it would be a really bad idea for a Tormented player to get any Torment stacks until the Tormented has fallen off. This means that DPS will have to take turns tanking the shard. However it is important to note that the Torment channel does not refresh the Tormented debuff. This only happens if you gain, then lose the Torment debuff. Tormented lasts 40 seconds. If using 3 DPS per shard (8 stacks each), this means a minimum of 5 dps will need to be in the shard rotation, as the Tormented debuff will fall off again just as the first player needs to take it from the 5th.

This Tormented debuff also means it is extremely important that the Decimation Blade tank doesn't accidentally take a tick of the shard and gain the debuff, as Decimation Blade will one-shot that tank with it up.

On Heroic mode, Tormented will spread to all nearby players. Because of this, extra care needs to be taken that Tormented Players are stacked away from other players (but not too far, due to Countdown), that the tank(s) never get Tormented, and that healers get it as little as possible.

Healing

Healers can be divided into two teams. One team will heal the boss tank while the other team heals the shard tanks suffering from the Torment debuff.

Using direct heals (not AoE or HoT heals) on a player with Torment stacks Vital Spark.

When a healer with Vital Spark casts a heal on a player with Blaze of Glory (either of the boss tanks) then it converts spark stacks to Vital Flame, increasing healing done to the Blaze of Glory player.

After 15 seconds the Vital Flame will convert back into Vital Spark with the same number of stacks it had previously.

Once the Vital Flame ends the healing teams should swap duties. The ones that were previously stacking Vital Spark by healing Torment victims should start healing the boss tanks and activate their Vital Flame. The ones that were healing the boss tanks should start healing Torment victims and stack more Vital Sparks. Alternatively, to reduce target swapping and ramp-up time on healing, healers can stay on the tank for two Vital Flame cycles, then swap off for two. This results in healers swapping every 30 seconds rather than every minute. Since the shards last approximately 28 seconds apiece, this swap lines up well with them and can be used as a rough gauge of swap timing.

Countdown

If you are a Countdown victim, move to the other player and hold still until the debuff falls off. If you fail to do this, or move too slowly, (or run away too soon), you will both explode and do massive damage to most of your teammates. If one player has Tormented, it is possible with perfect execution to avoid spreading the debuff; however, this can be almost impossible in actual circumstances (for instance, due to latency). Backup healers and soakers must be prepared to take over in case a healer or shard soaker receives Tormented as a result of Countdown.

Enrage

On all difficulties, Baleroc has a hard enrage timer of 6 minutes. Notably, his enrage does not immediately wipe the raid, and it is possible with kiting and a good string of avoidance to kill him after his berserk.

Loot

Normal Mode

Gatecrasher Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Axe One-Hand Speed 2.60 2008 – 3731 Damage (1103.7 damage per second) +175 Agility +262 Stamina +120 Critical Strike +111 Expertise Durability 110 / 110 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 36 10 73 Mantle of Closed Doors Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Cloth Shoulder 1043 Armor +282 Intellect +454 Stamina +211 Critical Strike +167 Mastery   Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +10 Intellect   Durability 100 / 100 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 10 83 21 Breastplate of the Incendiary Soul Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Leather Chest 1820 Armor +368 Agility +611 Stamina +231 Haste +267 Mastery   Prismatic Socket Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +20 Agility   Durability 165 / 165 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 18 5 36 Shoulderpads of the Forgotten Gate Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Leather Shoulder 1365 Armor +282 Agility +454 Stamina +210 Hit +153 Critical Strike   Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +10 Agility   Durability 100 / 100 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 13 54 2 Glowing Wing Bracers Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when equipped Leather Wrist 14 Armor +18 Agility or Intellect +27 Stamina +12 Haste +12 Versatility Durability 55 / 55 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 9 61 4 Gatekeeper's Embrace Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Mail Chest 46 Armor +24 Agility or Intellect +48 Stamina +21 Versatility +13 Mastery   Prismatic Socket Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +4 Intellect   Durability 165 / 165 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 19 11 16 Decimation Treads Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Mail Feet 32 Armor +20 Agility or Intellect +36 Stamina +14 Critical Strike +14 Haste   Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +2 Agility   Durability 80 / 80 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 38 13 2 Molten Scream Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Held In Off-hand +18 Intellect +27 Stamina +12 Critical Strike +11 Haste Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 16 38 13 Flickering Handguards Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Plate Hands 2264 Armor <Random Enchantment>   Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +15 Stamina   Durability 55 / 55 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 12 76 44 Casque of Flame Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Plate Head 66 Armor +20 Strength or Intellect +48 Stamina +16 Versatility +14 Mastery   Meta Socket Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +6 Intellect   Durability 100 / 100 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 14 30 64 Helm of Blazing Glory Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Plate Head 2943 Armor +348 Strength +611 Stamina +284 Parry +192 Mastery   Meta Socket Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +45 Stamina   Durability 100 / 100 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 18 93 15 Shard of Torment Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Shield Off Hand 12201 Armor +147 Strength +341 Stamina +148 Dodge +154 Parry   Prismatic Socket Prismatic Socket Socket Bonus: +30 Stamina   Durability 120 / 120 Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 23 3 93 Necromantic Focus Item Level 378Disenchants into:  [Maelstrom Crystal]: 1-2 Binds when picked up Unique-Equipped Trinket +383 Intellect Equip: Grants 39 mastery for 10 sec each time you deal periodic spell damage, stacking up to 10 times. Requires Level 85 Sell Price: 38 21 31

Heroic Mode

Gatecrasher (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Mantle of Closed Doors (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Breastplate of the Incendiary Soul (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Shoulderpads of the Forgotten Gate (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Glowing Wing Bracers (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Gatekeeper's Embrace (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Decimation Treads (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Molten Scream (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Flickering Handguards (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Casque of Flame (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Helm of Blazing Glory (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Shard of Torment (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Necromantic Focus (heroic) This item is not yet in Wowpedia. Contribute it using the Item Boilerplate. Look up in: ω þ Crystallized Firestone Binds when picked up Requires Level 32 Sell Price: 5

Quotes

Aggro

• You are forbidden from my master's domain, mortals.

Shards of Torment

• Fool mortals. Hurl yourselves into your own demise!

Baleroc Readies his Inferno Blade!

• Burn beneath my molten fury!

Baleroc Readies his Decimation Blade!

• By the Firelord's command, you, too, shall perish!

Berserk

• Your flesh is forfeit to the fires of this realm.

Killing a player

• You have been judged.
• Behold your weakness.
• None shall pass!

Death

• Mortal filth... the master's keep is forbidden...

Videos

10-man Heroic

• Vagrant Corps - 1080p

10-man Normal

• Vagrant Corps - 1080p
• Learntoraid Normal 10-man Strategy Guide

25-man Normal

• TankSpot

Patches and hotfixes

• Hotfix (2011-09-20):
  • Health and damage have been reduced by 25% on normal difficulty. Health and damage have been reduced by 15% on Heroic difficulty.
  • Baleroc now swings 25% slower while Decimation Blade is active.
  • The duration of Tormented has been reduced on normal difficulty.
    
• Hotfix (2011-07-26): On 25-player Heroic difficulty, Torment now grants a stack of Vital Spark per 5 applications, up from 3. To compensate, Baleroc’s health has been reduced on 25-player Heroic difficulty.
  
• Hotfix (2011-07-08): Death knight Bloodworms are no longer removing stacks of Torment when they explode to heal other players.
  
• Hotfix (2011-07-06):
  • Baleroc’s health has been increased on 10-player Heroic difficulty.
  • Baleroc's gate now despawns properly when he resets.
  • Shards of Torment despawn when Baleroc resets even if they are spawned after Baleroc has despawned.
    
• Hotfix (2011-07-01): Baleroc's gate will now properly unlock itself again after a wipe, even if Shannox is still alive.
  
• Patch 4.2.0 (2011-06-28): Added.
  

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB

25man.com Baleroc Tactics & Strategy Guide

Icy Veins Comprehensive Baleroc strategy guide (includes perspective guides for tanks, healers, and DPS, as well as Heroic mode)

LearnToRaid.com Baleroc Video Strategy Guide